The Third Man: a Com- 
edy in One Act: byRoder- 
ich Benedix: Translated 
by Barrett H. Clark 

*VZ33 



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The Third Man: a Com- 
edy in One Act: byRoder- 
ich Benedix: Translated 
by Barrett H. Clark 



Samuel French: Publisher 

28-30 West Thirty-eighth Street : New York 

LONDON 

Samuel French: Ltd. 

26 Southampton Street, Steand 



Copyright. 1915, 
BY SAMUEL FRENCH 



/ 

©CI.D 41821 

SEP 25 1915 



RODERICH BENEDIX. 



Roderick Benedix (1811-1873) was one of the 
most popular and prolific of nineteenth century 
German dramatists. Benedix is ingenious, comic, 
witty, and his best plays — " Der Prozess," " Die 
Hochzeitsreise," " Der Dritte," and " Eigensinn " — 
are based upon the eternally human foibles and 
eccentricities which never change. " It is the 
particular merit of Benedix's plays " says the editor 
of " Der Prozess " (Henry Holt & Company 
edition), "that they are thoroughly German; the 
social conditions in the Germany of Benedix's time 
are, of course, not in all respects those of to-day. 
The characters are familiar types in the upper 
middle class, and they reveal their foibles, their 
eccentricities, their homely virtues in such a way 
that one has merely to know something of human 
nature, in whatever land, in order to understand 
them. There is exaggeration, to be sure, even to the 
point of caricature, but we are merely amused ; never 
deceived." 



The present play presents no difficulties as to 

staging or acting. 

The version here used is based upon the text of 
the Henry Holt annotated edition. 

3 



THE THIRD MAN. 

PERSONS REPRESENTED. 

Hausmann A man of leisure 

Apolloni a His wife 

Adelheid Their daughter 

Klotilde Their niece and ward 

Scene : — A room in Hausmann's home, in a small 
German town. 

Time : — Mid-nineteenth century* 
4 



THE THIRD MAN 



Scene : — A room in Hausmann's home. There are 
doors center, left, and right. As the curtain 
rises Adelhetd is discovered reading a letter. 

Adelheid. {Reading) " Never before in my 
life could I understand what the poets meant by the 
joy of seeing once more the object of one's affections 
— now I do. How often during the past year have I 
counted the months, the weeks, then the days and 
hours until I should be able to come and look into 
your eyes and take your hand and say : ' my dear, 
dear girl 1 ! H (She kisses the letter) Dearest! 
(Continuing) " Only one more day until I am to lay 
eyes on you. Has all the time we were separated 
been utterly lost ? No, indeed. This separation has 
taught me how much you have meant to me." (She 
quickly hides the letter in her waist as her father, 
Hausmann, enters) 

Hausmann. Can you guess whom I have just 
been with, Adelheid ? What's the matter, eh ? You 
seem scared? 

Adelheid. Nothing — only you surprised me ! 
You came in so suddenly. 

Hausmann. What were you hiding? 

Adelheid. Nothing at all, Father dear. 

Hausmann. Young girls should not keep secrets 
from their parents. 

Adelheid. Father dear ! 

Hausmann. Very well, then, if you say it was 
5 



6 



THE THIRD MAN. 



nothing. I have some important news for you — can 
you guess what ? 

Adelheid. I have no idea. 

Hausmann. {Good-humoredly) You're going 
to marry ! 

Adelheid. {Terrified) What! 

Hausmann. See her blush ! Ha, ha, ha ! That's 
the way with young girls. I've been looking for- 
ward to this moment for a long time. 

Adelheid. But, Father dear, you don't under- 
stand ! 

Hausmann. Oh, yes I do ! See, just see how 
surprised you are ! They're always that way. Now, 
listen to me : Herr Hellmuth, an old business friend 
of mine, has often spoken to me about you — he's 
even been to see me and made a formal demand for 
you. You're twenty years old, and it's time you 
married. Hellmuth is a fine man, at the best time of 
his life, and I've given him my word — now you're 
engaged. 

Adelheid. But you wouldn't think of ? 

Hausmann. But I tell you it's all arranged. I'll 
go now, and leave you to your own thoughts By 
the way, where is your mother ? I want to tell her 
the news. She must be somewhere in the house? 
{He goes out at the back) 

Adelheid. What a blow ! Oh, dear. 

{Enter Apollonia. She is an amiable yet some- 
zvhat phlegmatic person. She carries a letter in 
her hand.) 

x\pollonia. Here you are, Adelheid. I was 
just going to call you. 

Adelheid. What is it, Mother? 
Apollonia. I have some news for you. 
Adelheid. What ? 
Apollonia. Good news. 
Adelheid. I'm very curious. 



THE THIRD MAN. 



7 



AroLLONiA. You'd never guess, so I shan't keep 
it from you any longer : you're soon to be married. 
Adeliieid. Mother ! 

Apollonia. Blushing? Eyes on the ground? 
My living image when my parents told me. Now 
let's talk business, dear. I'm so glad at last to see 
you married off. Here is a letter from my old friend 
Frau von Heiberg, from Dantzig, who wants her son 
to marry you. We'd always wanted to see our 
children united, and now my dearest wish is about 
to be fulfilled. Young Heiberg is an assessor, he has 
a splendid position, and can marry well. Of course, 
I'll have a lot of work to do in getting your trousseau 
ready for you, but what won't a mother do for her 
children ? Oh, don't answer anything just now, I 
want to tell your father. Where can he be ? He 
isn't in his room, so he must be in the garden. {She 
goes out) 

Adelheid. {In despair) This is the last straw. 



{Enter Klottlde.) 



Klotilde. You must be an actress, the way you 
said that ! 

Adeliieid. Oh, Klotilde!? 

Klotilde. Yes ? 

Adelheid. Oh, I'm so unhappy ! 

Klotilde. Tell me, what's the matter, dear? 
'ELIieid. You might just as well know : Father 
wants me to marry his old friend Hellmuth. 

Klotilde. Indeed ? 

adeliieid. And Mother insists on my marrying 
Assessor Heiberg. 

Klotilde. And that makes you unhappy ? Think 
of that ! Any other girl would be delighted to get 
married — the way I was when I had dear Bruno, 
and now here you are, you can choose between two ! 

Adelheid. Oh, that's 



s 



THE THIRD MAN. 



Klotilde. Which is as much as to say, you don't 
want either of them? 

Adelheid. How could you think that? 

Klotilde. A girl is unhappy under these circum- 
stances when she's in love. You're sad now, there- 
fore you're in love ; you don't care for either of the 
two, therefore there's a third man in the case. 

Adelheid. You're happy, and this doesn't make 
any difference to you. 

Klotilde. But I've been married only six 
months. Who knows what may happen ? 

Adelheid. I know what has happened to me. 
My life and happiness are ruined. 

Klotilde. Ooh, how tragic! But don't lose 
hope, perhaps we can find your lost happiness again ? 

Adelheid. Yes, I do love a third man. 

Klotilde. I see. I always suspected that your 
heart was not entirely free, but you played your part 
so well that I had some doubt. 

Adelheid. I had to keep it a secret. 

Klotilde. Even from me, your best friend? 

Adelheid. Forgive me, but I agreed with Karl 
to keep it dark. 

Klotilde. So his name is Karl ? 

Adelheid. Karl Wildeck 

Klotilde. Wildeck ? Wasn't he the architect of 
the railway station here two years ago ? 

Adelheid. Yes. 

Klotilde. Who used to play the piano so well? 
Adelheid. Yes. 

Klotilde. I compliment you. He's a splendid 
man, and so nice and amiable. If I weren't so much 
in love with my husband, who knows whether I 
might not be attracted to him? 

Adelheid. We've been in love for a long time, 
but Karl wasn't in a position to marry then, and he 
was much too honorable to live on what I should 
get as a dowry. So we were engaged, and he went 
away to get a start. Now he writes me that he is 



THE THIRD MAN. 



9 



coming to-morrow morning and is going to marry 
me. 

Klotilde. And he remained true for two years? 
My dear, you ought to exhibit him and charge 
admission. 

Adelheid. Yes, he's coming to-morrow, and now 
to-day see what my parents have planned for me. 

Klotilde. What are you going to do ? 

Adelheid. The only thing I can do: tell them 
and beg them 

Klotilde. Madness ! 

Adelheid. Shouldn't I do that? 

Klotilde. Madness ! 

Adelheid. Should I elope? 

Klotilde. Madness ! 

Adelheid. Then what shall I do? 

Klotilde. Use a little brains. Your father wants 
you to marry Herr Hellmuth, and your mother 
wants you to marry Herr Heiberg. I know them 
both, and I tell you neither of them will give in. 

Adelheid. But what I shall do? 

Klotilde. Let's come into this room and think it 
over well. A little intelligence and foresight will 
do wonders. (She takes Adelheid by the arm, and 
as sJie goes) When father and mother struggle for 
the heart of their daughter, they are bound to lose, 
if the daughter knows something about war. (They 
go out left) 

(Enter Hausmann, center, and Apollonia, right.) 

Hausmann. I've been looking for you every- 
where in the house. 

Apollonia. And IVe been looking for you every- 
where outside. 

Hausmann. Well, have you heard the news? 
Adelheid is engaged. I wanted to tell you. 

Apollonia. She must have told you, then? 



10 



THE THIRD MAN. 



Hausmann. What ? Do you know ? Did she tell 

you ? 

Apollonia. But how do you know ? That I can't 

understand. 

Hausmann. My dearest, I don't understand you. 
Hellmuth left only a quarter of an hour ago. 

Apollonia. What has Hellmuth to do with the 

case? 

Hausmann. He's engaged to Adelheid. 

Apollonia. Who ? 

Hausmann. Hellmuth ! 

Apollonia. What ? 

Hausmann. Her fiance. 

Apollonia. Whose ? 

Hausmann. Adelheid's. 

Apollonia. There's some misunderstanding. 
I'm talking about Assessor Heiberg. 

Hausmann. What's that? 

Apollonia. He's the one. 

Hausmann. What ? 

Apollonia. The fiance. 

Hausmann. Whose ? 

Apollonia. Adelheid's. 

Hausmann. Where did you get that idea? 

Apollonia. Here is the letter from his mother, 
who makes a formal demand for Adelheid. You 
know, we've always wanted the children to marry. 

Hausmann. Now I see ! So you've done this 
behind my back? I'm very sorry for you. 

Apollonia. Why ? 

Hausmann. If you'd only told me sooner 

Apollonia. I don't see ? 

Hausmann. I tell you, Herr Hellmuth was just 
here and asked for Adelheid's hand — I said, 
Yes. 

Apollonia. Impossible ! 
Hausmann. So you see, you're too late. 
Apollonia. You are ! 
Hausmann. How is that? 



THE THIRD MAN, 



ii 



Apollonia. Frau von Heiberg has my word of 
honor, which I intend to keep. 
Hausmann. What ! 

Apollonia. Adelheid is going to marry Assessor 
Heiberg. 

Hausmann. This is ridiculous. Do you mean 
to say that you are going to set yourself up against 
me ? Nonsense ! Herr Hellmuth has my pledged 
word, and Adelheid is going to marry him. 

Apollonia. Do you think I'll ever consent to 
that ? You never even consulted me ! 

Hausmann. I can say the same to you. So you 
are going to marry the girl to him? 

Apollonia. I am her mother ! 

Hausmann. I am her father ! 

Apollonia. That's the mother's business. 

Hausmann. That has nothing to do with house- 
keeping. 

Apollonia. Who knows better than a mother 
what is best for her daughter ? 

Hausmann. A man understands these things 
better than a woman. They have no logic. 

Apollonia. But you have no judgment. 

Hausmann. How is that? 

Apollonia. You want your daughter to marry 
Herr Hellmuth. 

Hausmann. Have you anything against him ? 

Apollonia. Anything? Everything ! 

Hausmann. Oho ! 

Apollonia. He's over forty. 

Hausmann. Best age for a man to marry. 

Apollonia. Yes— but not a young girl. Then 
Hellmuth is stingy. 

Hausmann. Thrift is a virtue. 

Apollonia. He's not cultured. 

Hausmann. He's an honest merchant. 

Apollonia. I don't like it anyway. These 
tradesmen are such Philistines. They have no feel- 



12 



THE THIRD MAN. 



ing for art, and ideals, and the higher things in life. 
He would never do for Adelheid. 

Hausmann. There you are always running down 
the business men ! 

Apollonia. Well, a young woman ought to think 
something about her mind and her soul. 

Hausmann. In that case she ought to go to a 
teacher, and not marry one ! 

Apollonia. How material you are ! 

Hausmann. Tell me, what has Herr Assessor 
Heiberg to give his wife? 

Apollonia. Well, if he has no salary, surely 
we can help him? 

Hausmann. That's ridiculous ! Have I worked 
all my life only to support a son-in-law? No, I 
prefer a good, honest, well-established business man. 
Then Adelheid will at least be sure of her bread 
and butter. 

Apollonia. And die of boredom ! 

Hausmann. I've given my word and I don't 
intend to retract. 

Apollonia. Neither will I. 

Hausmann. You must. 

Apollonia. I won't. 

Hausmann. I'll find a way of forcing you. 
Apollonia. How ? 

Hausmann. Hellmuth is going to marry her. 

Apollonia. No, the Assessor ! 

Hausmann. I say, no 

Apollonia. And I say, yes ! 

Hausmann. I won't argue any longer. I'm 
going to cool oft. {He strides back and forth) 
Mark my words : you are not going to have your 
way, and if I — if I 

Apollonia. What ? 

Hausmann. I don't know exactly what, but 
something's going to happen. You're driving me to 
distraction meantime. When I die, too, I'll put it in 



THE THIRD MAN. 



*3 



my will that you're not to have your way ! (He goes 
out, left) 

Apollonia. There's a husband for you! 
(Enter Klotilde.) 

Klotilde. Hello, Auntie ! How is everything ? 

Apollonia. The way it always is in marriage. 
You'll soon have had plenty of experience. 

Klotilde. Oh, Auntie, Bruno is always lovely to 
me. 

Apollonia. You've been married only six 
months. Just wait, you'll soon see! 

Klotilde. I don't believe it. But, tell me, 
what's the matter now ? 

Apollonia. You know I'm a sensible woman ; 
now, don't you think I should stick to an idea when 
I'm positive I'm in the right? 

Klotilde. Are you always in the right, Auntie? 

Apollonia. Naturally. Or rather I must always 
make my husband think so. Give a man an inch and 
he'll take a mile. 

Klotilde. I'll remember that, Auntie. I hope 
I'll never quarrel with my husband, but if I do, I'll 
keep your advice in mind. Now will you tell me 
what "the trouble is between you and Uncle ? 

Apollonia. Adelheid is engaged. 

Klotilde. Really ? 

Apollonia. To Assessor Heiberg. 

Klotilde. You're joking! 

Apollonia. No, I'm not. But my husband 
insists on having her marry that tradesman, Hell- 
muth. 

Klotilde. I see, and you don't agree with him ? 
And does Adelheid want to marry either of them ? 
Apollonia. Why, I 

Klotilde. What if she is in love with someone 
else? 

Apollonia. That's out of the question. She 
doesn't know any young man. 



14 THE THIRD MAN. 

Klotilde. Hm ! 

Apolloxia. Do you doubt my word? 

Klotilde. I don't know whether it's right of me 
to gossip, only I have an idea that Adelheid is in love 
with young YVildeck and hopes to marry him. 

Apolloxia. YVildeck? The architect? 

Klotilde. Yes. 

Apolloxia. So she's done this behind my back, 
has she ? I'll fix her. I tell you, if I have to hold 
out against my husband and my daughter, I wUl 
have rny way ! Where is she now ? Think of her 
falling in love behind my back ! 

Klotilde. But, Auntie, didn't you do the same 
thing yourself ? 

A^polloxia. Haven't I been well punished for it? 
(Enter Adelheid) At last! When I told you I 
wanted you to marry Assessor Heiberg just now you 
didn't answer. 

Adelheid. But what can I say? Isn't it my 
duty to marry the man my parents have picked out 
for me? 

Apolloxia. (To Klotilde) See? (To Adel- 
heid; Have you anything else to say? 

Adelheid. What should I say? 

Apolloxia. (To Klotilde) What did I tell 
you ! — Klotilde says you are in love already ? 

Adelheid. That was wrong of her, but since 
she's spoken, I will say that I am fond of Herr 
Wildeck. But if you have other plans for me, I 
must forget what / want. 

Apolloxia. I see ! You're a good obedient child. 
I'm sure you'll be happy with Herr Heiberg. Please 
be good enough to send the gardener to my room ; 
I want to see him. I'm going to write to Frau von 
Heiberg. — Good little girl! (Slie goes out) 

Adelheid. But, mother ! 

Klotilde. No, stay here! 

Adelheid. But she's going to write ! That will 
spoil ever) r thing. I must tell the whole truth. 



THE THIRD MAN. 



15 



Klotilde. That would spoil it all. 

Adelheid. She'll let me marry Karl. 

Klotilde. She might under ordinary circum- 
stances. Now she wants her way against your 
father; you have nothing to do with it. 

Adelheid. I don't know what to think. But 
you advised me to tell mother I was in love — you 
yourself told her, too. 

Klotilde. She must know it, but she mustn't 
hear more about the matter from you. I told her 
that I only suspected. 

Adelheid. I don't understand your plan. 

Klotilde. Leave it all in my hands and do ex- 
actly as I tell you. Now go and send the gardener 
to your mother. 

Adelheid. All right, but I think you'll only make 
matters worse. (She goes out) 

Klotilde. Poor child. (She knocks on the door 
to the left) 

Hausmann. (Outside) Who's there? 

Klotilde. It's I, Uncle. I'd like to have a word 
with you. 

Hausmann. (Outside) I'll be with you in a 
moment. (He enters. Gruffly) Well, what is it, 
Klotilde? 

Klotilde. What a bad humor you're in ! 

Hausmann. I'm very much worried. 

Klotilde. (Giving him a paper) This docu- 
ment must be signed by you, as my guardian. 

Hausmann. Give it to me ! (He takes the paper, 
sits doi^n, and zvrites) 

Klotilde. What has made you so bearish, uncle ? 

Hausmann. My wife — who else could it be? 
Who else is it ever? My wife! I tell you she's 
not going to have her way this time. 

Klotilde. Hm ! 

Hausmann. What do you mean with your 
" Hm?" 



i6 



THE THIRD MAN. 



Klotilde. My dear uncle, that means that I am 
rather doubtful ! 

Hausmann. Doubtful, eh? About what? 

Klotilde. Don't I know my dear Auntie ? And 
don't I know what a strong will she has ? 

Hausmann. This time she'll not have her way! 
You mark my words. 

Klotilde. Might I ask what the trouble is ? 

Hausmann. It's about Adelheid's marrying. 

Klotilde. Indeed ? 

Hausmann. I've given Herr Hellmuth my word 
that he shall marry her. 
Klotilde. Hm ! 

Hausmann. My wife wants her to marry Herr 
Heiberg. 

Klotilde. Hm ! 

Hausmann. But I will be master in my own 
house, and I say No ! 
Klotilde. Hm ! 

Hausmann. There you are again with your 
" Hm ! " 

Klotilde. Still indicative of doubt. 

Hausmann. Do you doubt that I'll stand my 
ground and have my way? 

Klotilde. If Auntie alone stood against you, I 
am sure you would win, but Adelheid won't mind 
you, either. 

Hausmann, What? Is she on her mother's 
side? I'll bring them both to terms. 

Klotilde. You can't bring a heart to terms. 

Hausmann. Is Adelheid in love? 

Klotilde. V\ T ith Wildeck the architect. 

Hausmann. Send her to me at once ! — (He goes 
to the door, right, and calls) Friedrich ! Tell my 
daughter to come here at once ! (He returns quickly 
to Klotilde) How do you know it? 

Klotilde. How can you ask that ? You men are 
blind, but a woman always sees. We have a sixth 
sense — and we can tell when someone's in love. 



THE THIRD MAN. 



17 



Hausmann. You may be right ! You're a clever 
little imp ! 

Klotilde. " Clever little imp ? " Oh, uncle — and 
my husband calls me a " dear angel ! " It sounds 
much better. 

Hausmann. You're all imps, you women. 

(Enter Adelheid.) 

Adelheid. What is it, Father dear ? 

Hausmann. I've been hearing fine things about 
you. You've been carrying on a secret love-affair 
behind my back ! 

Adelheid. But, father 

Hausmann. Do you intend to set yourself 
against my authority ? 

Adelheid. How could you think that ? 

Hausmann. Klotilde has just told me all about 
it. I wish you to marry Herr Hellmuth. Tell me, 
what is your answer? Are you going to disobey 
me? 

Adelheid. No. 

Hausmann. No? 

Adelheid. No. 

Hausmann. Then you don't love Herr Wildeck ? 

Adelheid. Oh, yes I do, and should rather marry 
him than anyone else, with your permission — other- 
wise I couldn't think of doing anything against your 
will. 

Hausmann. (To Klotilde) Well, what do 
you think of that, eh ? 

Klotilde. Because you're a tyrant. I know if 
I were she, I shouldn't think of giving in obediently. 

Hausmann. I can well believe that; I'm de- 
lighted that you are only my niece — My Adelheid 
is a good and obedient child. Now for a little talk 
with my wife, and everything 



i8 



THE THIRD MAN. 



(Enter Apollonia.) 

Apolloxia. Who's been shouting so? What's 
the matter? 

Hausmann. Nothing, only now that you've 
come, something will be before long. 

Apollonia. Now, that sounds as if I were sharp- 
tempered ! As a matter of fact, I have great patience 
and forbearance. 

Hausmann. Which you proved to me only to- 
day by trying to set your will against mine. 
. Apollonia. But please allow me observe that 
you are not the only one who has the right to a will 
in this house ! I too have my rights ! 

Hal t smann. Not in a matter of this sort! This 
is the father's affair 

Apollonia. But I have the first right; and 
furthermore, it's the mother's place to decide 

Hausmann. The father's ! 

Apollonia. The mother's ! 

Hausmann. You shan't have your way. 

Apollonia. You shan't either, I promise you 
that. 

Klotilde. It's a shame ! 

Hausmann. What's a shame? 

Klotilde. That I already have a husband; if I 
hadn't, I could take one of the two and Adelheid the 
other. That would decide the matter. 

Hausmann. There's nothing to decide — I've al- 
ready made up my mind. 

Apollonia. We'll see about that. Adelheid, are 
you going to disobey me ? — 

Adeli-ieid. No, Mother dear. 

Hausmann. Adelheid, you wouldn't disobey me, 
would you ? 

Adelheid. You know, Father dear, I wouldn't. 
Hausmann. Then she is going to obey me. 
Apollonia. No, me! 

Klotilde. The only thing for the poor girl to do 



THE THIRD MAN. 



19 



is to marry both of them. — But if you will listen 
to me, I'll tell you a way out of your difficulty. 
Hausmann. What is it? 

Klotilde. If Adelheid takes one of them she 
will disobey her father; if she takes the other she 
will disobey her mother; now I suggest she take 
neither one. 

Hausmann. What ! 

Apollonia. What ! 

Klotilde. Adelheid, would you disobey your 
father ? 
Adelheid. Never ! 

Klotilde. Would you disobey your mother? 

Adelheid. I shouldn't think of it ! 

Klotilde. You see ? There's no other way ! 

Apollonia. But I insist 

Hausmann. You may insist, but I'm going to 
have my way. Otherwise, I'd prefer you to remain 
an old maid. 

Apollonia. Rather than have her marry Herr 
Hellmuth, I'd have you marry the third man. 

Klotilde. That's the only possible solution. 

Adelheid. Choose : will you marry him or re- 
main an old maid? 

Apollonia. You like Herr Wildeck, don't you? 

Adelheid. I'll marry him, mother, if you tell 
me to. 

Apollonia. Anything to keep your father from 
having his way ! 

Adelheid. Have I your permission, Father? 

Hausmann. Anything to keep your mother 
from having her way ! 

Klotilde. Thank Heaven! Now marry 
Wildeck ! 

Adelheid. Father ? 

Hausmann. Yes. 

Adelheid. Mother ? 

Apollonia. Yes. 



20 THE THIRD MAN. 

Klotilde. There ! Now Uncle, give Auntie 
your hand. (She brings them together) 

Hausmann. (Taking his wife's hand) All 
right, old lady ! 

Apolloxia. (Laughing) Well, you didn't have 
your way ! 

Hausmann. You didxi't have yours, either ! 
Klotilde. But we had ours. 
Hausmann. What ! 
Apolloxia. What ! 

Klotilde. Sh ! We've have enough disputes 
for one day ! (She puts her arm around Adelheid's 

waist) 

CURTAIN. 



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sentative of some of the best drama of all ages and lands. 

Bach volume is prefaced by a concise historical Dole by Mr. Clark, 
Mid with a few suggestions for staging. 



w 



Plays Now Ready 



INDIAN SUMMER, a comedy in one act by Meilhac and 
Halevy. This little play, by two of the most famous writers of 
comedy of the last century, has been played at the Comedie Fran- 
caise at Paris for upwards of forty years, and remains one of the 
brightest and most popular works of the period. Price 25 Cents. 

ROSALIE, by Max Maitrey. A " Grand Guignol " comedy in 

one act, full of verve and clever dialogue. Rosalie, the stubborn maid, 
leads her none too amiable master and mistress into uncomfortable 
complications by refusing- to open the front door to a supposed guest 

of wealth and influence. Price 25 Cents. 

MODESTY, by Paul Hervieu. A delightful trifle by one of the 

most celebrated of living dramatists. Price 25 Cents. 

THE ART OF BEING BORED, (Le Monde oil Von s'Ennuie), a 

comedy in three acts by Edotjard Pailleron. Probably the best- 
known and most frequently acted comedy of manners in the realm 
of nineteenth century French drama. It is replete with wit and 
comic situations. For nearly forty years it has held the stage, 
while countless imitators have endeavored to reproduce its fresh- 
ness and charm. Prigs 25 Cents. 

A MARRIAGE PROPOSAL., by Anton Tchekhofp, a comedy 

in one act, by one of the greatest of modern Russian writers. This 
little farce is very popular in Russia, and satirizes the peasants of 
that country in an amusing manner. Price 25 Cents. 

THE GREEN COAT, by Alfred de Musset and Emile Augier. 
A slight and comic character sketch of the life of Bohemian artists 
In Paris, written by one of France's greatest poets and one of her 
best-known dramatists. Price 25 Cents. 

THE WAGER, by Giuseppe Giacosa. This one act poetic 
comedy, written by the most celebrated dramatist of modern Italy, 
was the author's first work. It treats of a wager made by a proud 
young page, who risks his life on the outcome of a game of chess. 
Price 25 Cents. 



THE LITTLE SHEPHERDESS, a poetic comedy in one act, 
by Andre Rivoire. A charming pastoral sketch by a well-known 
French poet and dramatist. Played with success at the Com6die 
Francaise. Price 25 Cents. 

PHORMIO, a Latin comedy by Terence. An up-to-date version 
of the famous comedy. One of the masterpieces of Latin drama; 
the story of a father who returns to find that his son has married 
a slave girl. Phormio, the parasite-villain who causes the numerous 
comic complications, succeeds in unraveling the difficulties, and 
all ends happily. Price 25 Cents. 

THE TWINS, a Latin farce by Plautus, upon which Shake- 
speare founded his Comedy of Errors. Price 25 Cents. 

THE BOOR, by Anton Tchekoff. A well-known farce by the 
celebrated Eussian master; it is concerned with Russian peasants, 
and portrays with masterly skill the comic side of country life. 
Price 25 Cents. 

THE BLACK PEARL, by Victorien Sardou. One of Sardou's 
most famous comedies of intrigue. A house has, it is thought, 
been robbed. But through skilful investigation it is found that the 
havoc wrought has been done by lightning. Price 25 Cents. 

CHARMING LEANDRE, by Theodore de Danville. The 
author of " Gringoire " is here seen in a poetic vein, yet the French- 
man's innate sense of humor recalls, in this satirical little play, the 
genius of Moiiere. Price 25 Cents. 

THE POST-SCRIPTUM, by Emile Augier. Of this one-act 
comedy Professor Brander Matthews writes: " ... one 
of the brightest and most brilliant little one- act comedies in any 
language, and to be warmly recommended to American readers." 
Price 25 Cents. 

THE HOUSE OF FOURCHAMBAULT, by Emile Augier. 
One of the greatest of recent French family dramas. Although the 
play is serious in tone, it contains touches which entitle it to a 
position among the best comedies of manners of the times. Price 
25 Cents. 



THE DOCTOR IN SPITE OF HIMSELF, by Moliere. A 

famous farce by the greatest of French dramatists. Sganarelle has 
to be beaten before he will acknowledge that he is a doctor, which 
he is not. He then works apparently miraculous cures. The play 
is a sharp satire on the medical profession in the 17th Century. 
Prire 25 Cents. 

BRIGNOL AND HIS DAUGHTER, by Capus. The first 
comedy in English of the most sprightly and satirical of present- 
day French dramatists. Price 25 Cents. 

CHOOSING A CAREER, by G. A. de Caielavet. Written by 
one of the authors of M Love Watches." A farce of mistaken 
identity, full of humorous situations and bright lines. Price 25 
Cents. 

FRENCH WITHOUT A MASTER, by Tristan Bernard. A 
clever farce by one of the most successful of French dramatists. 
It is concerned with the difficulties of a bogus-interpreter who 
does not know a word of French. Price 25 Cents. 

PATER NOSTER, a poetic play in one act, by Francois 
Coppee. A pathetic incident of the time of the Paris Commune, 
in 1871. Price 25 Cents. 

THE ROMANCERS, a comedy in three acts, by Edmond Ros- 
tand. New translation of this celebrated and charming little 
romantic play by the famous author of "Cyrano ce Bergerac " and 
" Chantecler.' 1 Price 25 Cents. 

THE MERCHANT GENTLEMAN, CLe Bourgeois Gentil- 
homme), by Moliere. New translation of one of Moliere's comic 
masterpieces, a play which is peculiarly well adapted to amateur 
production. Price 50 Cents. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, 



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